HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0594.001 2004-2006 To: Hawaii County Council January 31, 2006
Hilo, Hawaii County,
Te1:961-8211 fax: 961-6553
To the members of the Hawaii County Council,
Aloha. May this find you in good health and spirit. I am writing regarding the issue of the. changing from
privately-owned police vehicles to a marked fleet system. I do not believe that changing our private police
vehicle policy to a marked fleet system is in the county's best interest for the following reasons;
1) It will cost the county taxpayers more money to maintain a marked vehicle police fleet.
2) Marked police fleet vehicles have an average life of 3-4 years before needing to be replaced.
3) Drivers of fleet cars tend to become less responsible and more abusive in the caring and the
maintenance of the vehicle causing unnecessary repairs, burdening shops and increasing operating cost.
4) There is no evidence showing that using a marked police vehicle fleet has helped lower crime or made
public roads safer anywhere in the world.
There are other reasons that have been brought to your attention that I need not repeat regarding this
conversion. I would like to add why I believe you should not allow this bad decision to be accepted in our
county:
I have seen and know of several police officers who take great pride in operating a personal vehicle they feel
will help them do their job effectively while maintaining a sense of pride, responsibility and accountability.
For the past 30 years, I do not know of anyone who has ever had difficulty identifying a police vehicle on
the island of Hawaii.
I also appreciate the blue light police vehicles use during night hours. Marked police fleet vehicles do not
have an ID warning light while operating at night.
Most important of what I have witnessed over my many years in Hilo is the positive and surprising response
from tourist and visitors when they learn of our unique police cars. I have found this to be a memory that is
taken back to many homes helping to share and promote some of the character and uniqueness of our
wonderful island lifestyle and aloha spirit not found on the other islands.
I ask that you consider this issue with care and wisdom. Our island has lost many of its friendly ways and
aloha spirit. I don't feel that our island needs any reason to copy the busy mainland lifestyle by adapting to
their ways without any proof that it will enhance safety. This measure has shown that it will cost the county
more money in the long run. Having a marked fleet system also creates a police state image that we don't
need. Our county has more pressing issues that must be dealt with then to waste time and money on an
un-necessary, questionable and unpopular issue based on fear and ignorance.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Sincerely Yours,
Richard Gallagher CO~• tJ°•~~
76 Kimo Place Raf. To:
Hilo, Hawaii County, 96720 Raf• i~°t~____A
Tel: 959-4757